An Iranian Economist Covering Economic Affairs in Iran and in the Middle East.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Bridge to Iran

Caty Borum Chattoo has kindly forwarded me an email announcing airing "BRIDGE TO IRAN" which a series of documentaries already produced by Iranian filmmakers on Iran. It reads:

San Francisco, Calif., January 23, 2012 – Against a backdrop of rising cultural and political tensions in Iran, Link TV will premiere its four-part documentary TV series, “BRIDGE TO IRAN,” beginning on February 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Presented by Iranian-American host, Parisa Soultani, the series examines issues such as the role of women in Iranian politics, intimate conversations between the exiled former queen of Iran and a former dissident, and the historically powerful role of the arts – particularly theatre and cinema – within Iranian society. In each episode, in-depth discussions with top Iranian filmmakers provide a unique lens into some of the challenges and realities facing Iranians during a time of increased instability – including censorship, sanctions and safety concerns. New episodes will air at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT on February 14, 21, 28, and March 6 (with repeat broadcasts); more information about all episodes are available online at www.LinkTV.org/BridgeToIran.

“Bridge to Iran,” a co-production of Link TV and CEM Productions, was developed as a response to the cultural and political tensions that have developed between Iran and the U.S. since the Iranian revolution.

---I have visited this website. Some of them are great works such as Iran: A Cinematographic Revolution, which reviews Iranian motion picture industry and traditions, We Are Half of Iran's Population by Rakhshan Bani Etemad is a great look into women's issues and challenges insider. Frankly I am lost what a movie like The Queen and I has to say about Iran of today, since it is a biographic work. It might have some value for those interested in Iran's contemporary history, however I do not see how it adds to its viewers' understanding of Iran of 2012.
Overall this is an admirable effort to bring some understanding of Iran to an American audience. However against a backdrop of war the documentaries do not include anything on the human cost of war. Particularly since the memory of Iran-Iraq eight year long war is so fresh and its wounds are still bleeding. Still they offer a uniquely authentic outlook of Iranian cinema and Iranian women issues.